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9 Best Books on Power to Understand the World and Take Back Control

September 13, 2022

Why should EVERYONE read books on power and control?

The reason is apparent in the daily news. There are many national and international power struggles at play today. And misinformation, manipulation and deception are widely used to influence you.

But why should you care?

First, everyone needs power to a degree. A clear example is a parental relationship, in which the parent should have control over the child.

And they should know how to use it wisely.

Secondly, understanding the mechanics of power is essential if you want to think as an individual, regain control over your life, and make better decisions for yourself and your family.

And finally, people who shy away from power need it the most. Those with good intentions can make a real difference in the world through power.

Think about folks like Gandhi and Martin Luther King.

Everyone needs a degree of power. Not to control others, but to control your life’s narrative and make a positive impact.

That said, let’s dig into the nine best books about power!

P.S. Love audiobooks over paper versions? Learn if Audible is worth it for you.

#1: 48 Laws of Power

The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene

It was difficult to rank this book in the number one spot.

And here’s why:

Robert Greene’s book was quite confrontational for me. There are some disturbing truths about power, and The 48 Laws of Power show why.

However, the laws in and of themselves are not evil – even though people throughout history use them in such ways.

Understanding the 48 laws will:

  • Increase your understanding of human nature;
  • Clarify the (harsh) realities of how the world works;
  • Enable you to use power to make a positive impact;
  • And shields you from bad actors. 

The book uses many examples to clarify each law, some of which may make you cringe a little.

But if you want to understand human behavior, politics in organizations, and how the real world works, I suggest reading this book. 

Get your copy here

#2: How to Win Friends and Influence People

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

While the title of this book might put you off at first, as it did to me, it might become one of your favorite books. 

This book will broaden your perspective on human nature and how you can deal with people in ways that benefit everyone.

Some principles from the book:

  • Never criticize or complain about others. Wouldn’t it benefit everyone if the entire world would do this?
  • Be generous with praise and praise often. In a world where everyone has a critical opinion about everything, a little more recognition makes a positive impact.
  • Avoid arguments because you never win them. If you lose the discussion, you lose. But if you win it, you make the other person feel bad and lose indirectly.

Most of these principles are straightforward…

… yet so easily overlooked and forgotten.

That’s why How to Win Friends and Influence People remains one of the classics of all time. And if you want to improve your relationships, I highly recommend you read this book.

Get your copy here

#3: Mastery

Mastery by Robert Greene

Mastery is another book by Robert Greene. However, it’s less confrontational this time and all about skill development. 

Unfortunately, true mastery is a lost art. 

Everyone wants instant results and quick fixes without putting in too much effort. But to stand out in a highly competitive field, you must do the opposite of what everyone else does.

That’s what this book is about.

Robert Greene studied the most famous people in history and what got them there. And he shares his insights in this book and does so through an easy-to-follow, step-by-step approach.

You will learn:

  • The stages you must go through to achieve mastery in any area.
  • Practical advice that equips you for each stage.
  • How to become creative and create your unique flair.
  • Many examples of great individuals, like Leonardo Da Vinci, Mozart, Charles Darwin, and Thomas Edison.

Mastery is rare these days. But if you’re willing to commit your time, effort, and energy to master a specific area, you will be well rewarded.

Get your copy here

#4: Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion

Influence by Robert Cialdini

When discussing power, we primarily speak about the ability to influence others. And that’s what this book is all about.

Robert Cialdini is an American psychologist who went undercover for three years to observe the masters of persuasion. He discovered the six principles that influence behavior:

  • Reciprocity.
  • Commitment and consistency.
  • Social proof.
  • Authority.
  • Likeability.
  • Scarcity.

These principles are timeless and repeatedly used in all aspects of life. If that doesn’t convince you yet, here’s why you should read this book:

  • Learn how to spot the patterns that influence your decisions;
  • Protect yourself from those who use it in bad fate;
  • Broaden your perspective of psychology and human behavior;
  • Many real-world examples to understand the concepts.

You should read this book if you want to understand how external factors influence your behavior every day. It enables you to take back control and make better decisions in the future.

Get your copy here

#5: Power: Why Some People Have It and Others Don’t

Power by Jeffrey Pfeffer

This book about power by Jeffrey Pfeffer is all about understanding the powerstruggles when building a career in a large organization.

So, if climbing the corporate ladder is your ambition, you must develop a robust skill set and understand the politics at play in your organization.

And that’s quite the chess game…

But if you want to climb the corporate ladder, there’s just no way around the politics. You need to understand its relation with your work and how you can use it to climb to the top of your organization.

And this book will help you do that.

Get your copy here

#6: The Art of War

The Art of War by Sun Tzu

If you want to learn about power in the context of war and history, this book is specifically for you. Sun Tzu was a military strategist and philosopher; in this book, you learn his key lessons.

Many leaders have adopted these principles in their strategies.

The insights and examples in the book are based on wars from 2.500 years ago. However, these principles are timeless and relevant for business people or those building or managing a team.

Here are my key takeaways:

  • Many valuable insights into timeless principles;
  • Great examples and analogies to illustrate the points;
  • Interesting read if you enjoy war strategies and how they apply to everyday life.

If you’re an (aspiring) leader in some shape, way or form, you should read this book at least once.

Get your copy here

#7: The 50th Law of Power

The 50th Law of Power by Robert Greene and 50 Cent

Robert Greene is a specialist in observing and writing about power and control. And that’s why this is his third book on the list. However, this time in collaboration with – guess who…

Hint: they skipped law 49.

The hip-hop artist 50 Cent. However, there are some notable differences between the 48 Laws of Power:

  • The book dives deep into one law.
  • Many examples and lessons from 50 Cent’s life.
  • And it’s a combination between a biography, survival insights for business, and personal development advice.

The 50th law is all about fearlessness.

So if you want to become a little more fearless and step into your own power, you will love this read – especially if you’re a hip-hop fan.

Get your copy here

#8: The Way of the Superior Man

The Way of the Superior Man by David Deida

You will love this book if you want to learn more about masculine energy (and partly about its feminine counterpart).

In the book, David Deida explains what it means to lean into your masculine energy and how it relates to your drive, purpose, money, power, relationships and especially your intimate ones.

Why is this important?

Masculine energy is under fire from various angles. As a result, many men fear embracing their masculinity. And while there’s nothing wrong with having feminine or masculine energy, suppressing it is an issue.

This book helps you understand masculine energy and what it means to embrace it. And it also teaches how you can use your native energy to make the world a better place for you and those around you.

Get your copy here

#9: Total Recall

Total Recall by Arnold Schwarzenegger

Total Recall is the autobiography of no other than the great Arnold Schwarzenegger. And while this book isn’t precisely about power, it’s undoubtedly about empowering oneself and rising to your full potential.

It’s a refreshing book on this list and super insightful.

This book explains how Arnold reinvented himself several times and became great in various areas against all odds. For example, many experts said he wouldn’t become a movie star because of his accent.

It’s one of my favorite biographies.

So if you’re looking for a fresh perspective of how one man gained power and used his influence to do good in the world, this is your book. It’s also very inspirational and shows what any dedicated individual is capable of.

Get your copy here

Summary

People often link power to evil.

And some of these books about power show that manipulation and deception are part of the equation – but that’s only one side of the story.

Power also enables change.

And whether you only want to take back control of your own life or fully step into your power to make a positive impact, you need to learn about the power mechanism.

It allows you to make better decisions, shape better outcomes, make a positive impact, and protect yourself and your loved ones from bad actors.

Which book will you start with?

And if you prefer audiobooks, get your free 30-day trial with Audible.

Regain your power and make an impact 

Everyone benefits from personal power, whether that’s through specific expertise or interpersonal skills. Do you want to learn how you can use power to live up to your true potential and make a massive difference in the world?

Then sign up and become an Insider below! Every week, I share valuable tips and insights to empower you to live up to your potential.

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